Logan City Council reopens its tips after public outrage

Logan City Council residents will be able to take their rubbish to the city’s tips after the council backflipped and reopened facilities this morning following an avalanche of public criticism.

LOGAN CITY Council has reopened its tips, after a massive outpouring of anger from the public and hot spots of illegal dumping across the city.

The move came this morning, less than a week after the city’s tips and waste centres were shut when the council cited breaches of social distancing rules to protect people from coronavirus.

ANGER OVER SUDDEN CLOSURE OF TIPS

SOCIAL DISTANCING BREACHES CLOSE TIPS

The council said all tips would reopen with tighter safety measures after there were reports that members of the public were spitting and abusing staff last week.

Tough new rules will apply to all at the tips including social distancing and no cash payments.

Logan was the only council in the southeast to shut its tips and residents took to Facebook over the weekend posting shots of illegal dumping.

Logan City Council rubbish dumping sign along Bardon Road, Berrinba, Thursday, July 11, 2019 (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Mayor-elect Darren Power spoke with Interim Administrator Tamara O’Shea yesterday about reopening the waste centres and Macalister MP Melissa McMahon also wrote to the council calling it out for closing the dumps.

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“Council has reviewed its safety protocols and will allow residents restricted entry to transfer stations with strict measures in place to protect the safety of its staff and the public,” the council said.

“Council does not want people visiting the transfer stations, especially residents using extra time at home to spring clean their house and garden, unless it’s absolutely essential.

The Beenleigh waste centre will reopen. Picture: supplied

“Abuse of Council staff or members of the public at these facilities will not be tolerated.

“Council thanks residents for their patience and understanding during the temporary closure while appropriate safety measures were put in place.

“These restrictions were necessary due to ongoing breaches of hygiene and social distancing protocols and in line with Council’s priority to protect the health and wellbeing of the community, customers and staff.”

The council warned residents that the tips would shut it people did not behave property and told people to heed warnings from the Chief Health Officer who told people not to crowd out waste facilities over Easter.

Residents were warned of long queues and said the extra safety measures would slow down trips to the dumps.

They also supported the “stay home, stay safe” message from governments and health authorities.

Council will closely monitor customer behaviour under the new access arrangements and may have to reintroduce tougher restrictions again if social distancing protocols are not followed.

Council has a legal obligation to maintain safety and follow government directives in its response to the COVID-19 crisis which are being regularly updated.

There will no longer be cash payments, and containers will be provided in which vouchers can be placed so there is no direct handover to staff.

Only a limited number of customers will be able to access the sites at any one time.

Customers must keep at least 1.5 metres away from all others.

There will also be a reduced number of unloading areas and children must remain in the vehicle.

Only the Browns Plains transfer station will be open on Good Friday.

Council’s household collection of waste and recycling bins will continue as normal.

Council’s bulky waste kerbside clean-up program will also continue as programmed.